Gate latch



April 1939. H. D. SWETMAN 2,155,808

GATE LATCH Filed July 1, 195a Z7. Gweiww INVENTOR aamyw Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in latches and more particularly to latches for gates and the like.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a gate latch of a strong, simple and inexpensive construction and which is capable of being readily attached to gates already in use without modifying the same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a latch of the above described character which will securely hold the gate in a closed position by means of a pair of spaced circular members so positioned and arranged that the first contacted member will be displaced and allow a tongue to be interposed between the members to prevent further movement of the tongue.

A further object of my invention is to provide a gate latch having a pair of sectional latch elements adapted to be readily clamped to the fence and gate posts respectively.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of a gate construction illustrating my invention in top plan and attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figures 3 and 4 are detail sectional views taken on the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 2 respectively.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail side elevation of one of the sectional elements.

In practicing my invention I provide a gate construction comprising vertically extending fence and gate posts 5 and 6 respectively, the same forming part of a fence and gate 1 and 8 respectively. The post 6 is adapted to be swung relative to the post 5 in the ordinary manner.

Secured to the gate post 6 is a sectional latch element 9 comprising a strip of elongated material, for instance metal, folded intermediate of its length to provide a pair of coextending sections I0 and H having free ends I2 and I3 respectively. Adjacent the free ends l2 and I3 the sections l9 and H are each fashioned with outwardly extending arcuate shaped portions 10a and Ha respectively forming an aperture of a substantially circular configuration through which the gate post 6 extends. The folded end 90. of the sectional latch element 9 is of a rectangular configuration to provide a tongue l4 and the sections I 0 and II are secured together between the tongue I4 and the arcuate portions by means of a rivet IS. The arcuate portions Illa and II a are secured in clamped condition about the gate post 6 by means of a bolt and nut l6 and I! respectively carried by the free ends I2 and I3. The sectional latch element 9 extends horizontally relative to the post 6, and the tongue [4 is disposed-between the posts 5 and 6 when the gate is in the closed position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing.

' One of the arcuate portions, for instance Illa, is fashioned with a hinge l8 adjacent the tongue 14 to provide a pivotal leaf l9 integral with the end [2 whereby to permit attachment or detachment of the element to the post 6 when the nut I! is removed from the bolt l6.

Secured to the fence post 5 is a similar sectional latch element 20 which islikewise provided with free ends 2! and 22, arcuate portions 23 and 24, hinge 25, pivotal leaf 26, rivet 21 and folded end 28. The folded end 28 is of an elongated configuration fashioned with spaced side walls 29 forming a housing disposed transversely above the tongue l4 when the gate is in closed position. Extending transversely through the housing are a pair of pivot pins 30, one dis:- posed on each side of the tongue l4 and adjacent the respective ends of the housing as clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing.

The walls 29 of the housing are integrally connected together by arcuate shaped end sections; 3|. l'nterposed between the walls 29 and suspended by the pins 39 are a pair of circular members or rings 32, the adjacent outer peripheries of which are adapted to engage the side faces of the tongue M to prevent lateral movement of the gate when the tongue is interposed between the members as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. The end sections it coact with the rings to prevent upward displacement of the latter by movement of the tongue.

Adjacent the end sections 3|, the walls 29 are fashioned with recesses 33 which extend in.- wardly to provide finger openings between the walls and the rings when the rings are in normal suspended position whereby the rings may be selectively elevated above the top face of the tongue [4 to permit the gate to be swung to open position. When the gate is being swung from open to closed position, the rings are in normal suspended position and as the tongue l4 contacts the outer periphery of one of the rings the latter is pivoted upwardly on the respective pivot pin 39 and thus permits the tongue to engage the outer periphery of the opposite ring.

As the tongue engages the opposite ring, the latter is prevented from being upwardly displaced by engagement with the respective section 3! and at the same time the weight of the elevated ring causes the latter to drop downwardly into normal suspended position thereby locking the tongue between the ring and preventing further movement of the gate.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising, a latch element adapted to engage a tongue extending between the fence and gate posts of a gate construction, said latch element comprising a housing transversely overlying said tongue, said housing formed with side walls fashioned with end sections connecting said walls together in spaced relation, a pair of spaced circular members suspended between said walls and normally embracing said tongue to preclude lateral movement of the latter, one of said members displaceable by said tongue to effect interposing of the latter between said members, said walls adjacent said end sections fashioned with downwardly extending recesses exposing side faces of said members whereby to permit said members to be grasped and manually raised upwardly through said housing to permit movement of said tongue from between said members.

2. A device of the character described, comprising, a latch element adapted to engage a tongue extending between the fence and gate posts of a gate construction, said latch element comprising a housing transversely overlying said tongue, said housing formed with side walls fashioned with end sections connecting said Walls together in spaced relation, a pair of spaced circular members suspended between said walls and normally embracing said tongue to preclude lateral movement of the latter, one of said members displaceable by said tongue to effect interposing of the latter between said members, said walls adjacent said end sections fashioned with downwardly extending recesses exposing side faces 'of said members whereby to permit said members to be grasped and manually raised upwardly through said housing to permit movement of said tongue from between said members, each of said elements fashioned with arcuate portions forming a betweenity for receiving therein one of said posts and one of said portions of each element having a hinged leaf operable for attaching and detaching said element to said posts, and means securing said portions in clamped condition about said posts.

HAROLD D. SWETMAN. 

